Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-08
CAPTURING MALTA.
Great Brftsin's stronghold seized
by the Brtttshcrs.

A Malta letter says: The military au-
thorities here have been greatly excited
by an incident that shows how this
island could in case OF war be captured
by plucky and adventurous enemy.
They have been doing what they could 10
keep the matter dark, rs ittouches upon
the supposed impregnability of the
island.
IMPROBABLE ONLY IN IDEA.
At grand dinner given few weeks
ago, at which oil the great naval and
military authorities were present, the
conversation turned upon O possible
war for naval supremacy in the Mediter-
ranean, possible combination for the
capture by a coup dc main OF Britain s
stronghold being taken into account.
The general opinion was unfavorable to
the idea of any success on the part Of an
invader, until little man who had
hitherto not said much on the subject
ventured TO hint that he knew. at all
events, of one point from which the
place might be attacked and a success
full Judgment of hostile troops effected
General Davis, the second in command,
an engineer officer, is credited with
having started the unpalatsble theory,
and, the dispute waxing warm, it was
decided by the Governor-G General, one
of the staunchest supporters of the i'm
pregnable idea, that he should be al
lowed the opportunity of proving the
soundness of his statements.
GREAT SHAM FIGHT.
The preliminaries were soon settled.
To General Davis was assigned a por-
ton OF the garrison and the fleet,
while Sir Lintorn Simmonds, as COM
mander-in-chief, took the direction Of
the defence. Albert Edward is no
.Jaintant officer, but thoroughly good
seaman and practical naval man. The
Admiral, as he is Familiarity styled, and
General Davis put their heads together
and elaborated plan OF attack that
proved eminently successful. Steaming
away with the whole of the fleet seward,
having previously embarked the troops
OF General Davis, the attacking force
was lost sight of for time. The de-
tenders at once made every disposition
TO meet an intended attack, the details
OF which ii would be somewhat indis-
Greet to reveal. Suffice it to say that
the forts and batteries were all manned,
and troops concentrated at what con-
sidered TO be the most favorable point
for dispatch to meet any attempt at
landing.
FEIST AT ST. PAUL S BAY.
Soon the word was passed along,
Fleet approaching st. Paul's bay"
Scripture readers will recollect the ex-
istence OF this small creek, into which
the ship Of the apostle was driven by
the tempest, fortunately for those on
board. 1t is a narrow creek, with bit
Of n shelving shore at the head, and is
about the only spot along the coast
away from Valetta that is thought to
cffer facilities for landing. The hostile
feet came bravely on, and a smart en-
cagemept ensued between the ir0n-clads
and the forts. 1t was evident to the de-
Tenders that landing was meant, else
why this determined attempt to cripple
the forts L? The troops were brought
down to oppose the invaders, as sundry
movements in connection with the
small craft that accompanied the fleet
seemed to indicate that the supreme
moment was at hand. Soon, however,
there was hurried retreat. Conster-
nation appeared to have suddenly
seized upon the defenders, the firing of
the forts ceased, and soon was seen fly
ing aloft the signal previously agreed
upon for cessation Of the fight. Malta
was not actually won, but Valetta had
fallen. The Grand Harbor was in the
bands of the assailants, and in actual
warfare the capitulation of the garrison
would have only been a question of
time, as in the day of the great NapO-
leon, when British pluck and Maltese
determination wrested the place out of
the hands of the French.
ONLY FEINT.
The attack upon St. Paul's bay was
only feint. No one ashore seemed to
have thought it worth while to compare
the strength Of the fleet which sailed
away with that which returned to at
tack.
Two OF the largest iron-clads had
been dispatched with a considerable
body to the opposite side of the island,
and while the hard fighting was going
on in the one direction successful
landing was effected in another. The
soldiers ashore were regularly caught
mapping, and they can hardly forgive
either themselves or their lucky oppo-
nents. The landing was entirely unOp-
posed. A small outpost was encOun-
tered a short distance inland, and the
garrison Of Highlanders promptly
turned out. The naval brigade was
highly disguised at having had so lit
tie to do. Enough to make a fellow
swear, says Jack, to march thirty miles
in a hot sun, with no fun at the end of
it. Jack would have thoroughly en-
joyed a good scrimmage, but it was
not to be. The route to Valetta was
quite open, and entering in the rear
the town was understood to have been
captured.